Man found dead in desert after killing ex-wife at Florence church

FLORENCE, Ariz. -- A man suspected in the shooting death of his ex-wife at a Florence church was found dead Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday, sheriff's deputies responded to a shooting at the Christ the Victor Church located near Arizona Farms Road and Hunt Highway and found Jamie Gallegos, 35, dead in the parking lot.

According to sheriff's spokesman Tim Gaffney, Gallegos had taken her sons, ages 7 and 10, to karate practice at the church.

Gaffney said there was evidence that Gallegos had been in a physical struggle with someone prior to the shooting.

Gallegos' ex-husband, Dominic Donatella, of San Tan Valley, was considered the suspect.

Gaffney said the abandoned vehicle was found Wednesday morning off Interstate 8 near Gila Bend. In the afternoon, Donatella's body was found in the desert area approximately one mile from his vehicle. He reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Gaffney said Donatella had been arrested in May for domestic violence assault and disorderly conduct.